Method and apparatus for projecting multicolor rays



0a. 27, 1931, ,sBlLLs 1,828,971

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING MULTICOLOR RAYS Original Filed June 21. 1928 INVEN TOR LI ids Patented Oct. 27, 1931 WILLIAM L. ISBHILS, OF'WESTFIELD, NEW mm MEIEDDAND APP ABATUS FOB PBOJ'ECTIN' G IUL'IICOLOB RAYS Application illed June 21, 1988, 8erial No. 287,322; Renewed ianuaw 81, 1931.

This invention relates to apparatus for projecting a multiplicity of colors onto a screen or through a translucent body or through photographic or other i'ctures for fi projection onto a screen; and tEe objectof the invention is to provide an apparatus of the class specified, involvin a source of light preferably in the form'of and a plurality of lenses disposed in the my path emanating from said' source of 1i ht, a predetermined number of said lenses icing capable of automatic adjustment longitudinally of the ray path to provide a constant variation of the color rays projected there through; a further object being to provide means for supporting a lens universally in the ray path to permit of its universal ad justment in said ray path; a furtherobject being to provide one or more interrupting bodies disposed at predetermined points in the apparatus and extendin into and transversing the ray path for reaking up the light rays to intensify and increase the number of distinct and contrasting color light 5 rays projected therefrom and to modify the intensity of the colorsin said ray, means being provided for automaticall actuating said interrupters-to maintain t e same in motion in transversing the ray path; a fur- 9" ther object being to provide means for automatically rotating the electric bulb of the machine, all of the automatically actuated means being driven through and by means of a power source; a further object bein to provide means whereby the direction 0 revolution of said power source may be reversedto produceback and forth movement of predetermined devi'ces employed in the apparatus; and with these and other objects in view, the invention consists in a method and apparatus for projecting color light rays which ,is simple in construction and o ration andwhich is hereinafter more ful y describedand claimed.

The invention described and claimed herein is an improvement on that shown and described in Letters Patent of the United States granted to me An st 14, 1928, and numbered 1,680,619 and is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accoman electric bulba su stantially coni'cal tube 8 for concentratpanying drawin forma part in which the separate parts 0 my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters ineach of the views, and in which Fig.1 is a diagrammatic view of acom- 5i pleite form of the apparatus which I employ; an

Fi 2 is a plan view of two or three different orms of interrupters which I may employ.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings, I have shown at 5 the lamp house of the projecting apparatus in which a suitable source of light prefera ly in the form of an electric bulb 6 is arranged to project a ray of light emanating from said ulb out through'condensing lenses 7 supported in conjunction with the lam house 5. Outwardly of said lenses, is

ing the li ht ray emanating from the bulb 0 6 to a pre etermmed path designated by the dotted lines :0. Arranged outwardly of the tube 8 and in spaced relation to the condensers 7 is a double convex lens 9 and a double concave lens 10 arranged in a suitable supporting tube 11. Another set of adjustable double convex lenses 1213 and 14 and 15 are adjustable relatively to a supporting tube or frame 16 and also relatively to each. other. These lenses are arranged in so spaced relation with reference to the lenses 9 and 10, and all are in the ray path w, the ray path w having crossed at the point y intermediate the lenses 10 and 12.

Another lens 17 is arranged in the ray path :12 which is crossed beyond the lenses 12 to 15 inclusive as seen at the point :03. Said lens 17 has a universal mounting at 18 to permit of its rotation and backward and forward inclined adjustment in the ray path :02.

The lenses 9 and 10 are supported in connection 'with a frame 19 having a screw shaft 20 in connection with which the supporting tube 11 is mounted. The tube 11 is keyed to the frame by a rod 21 on which said tube is slidably mounted, the same being adjusted by the rotation of the screw 12 by hand or in any other desired manner." Thisadjustment is for focusing and other purposes, producioo mg varied results in the projection of color TIE, S.

also employ a power source preferably in the form of a reversible drive electric motor 22 adapted to rotate an elongated main drive shaft 23 preferably through a low ratio of gearing, which in the construction shown is accomplished by a com aratively large friction wheel 22a driven irectly by the motor 22, driving a stub shaft through a small friction wheel 24, which in turn rotates a pinion 25 meshing with an internal gear 26 on which is a pulley 27, around which is passed a belt 28 which also passes around a ulley 29 on the shaft 23. But, it will be .un erstood that any suitable means ma be accomplished to provide a comparative y slow revolution of the shaft 23 in any ratio of gearing between said shaft and a power source.

On the shaft 23 is a pulley 30 around which a belt 31 is passed, the latter passing around another pulley 32 on a supplemental drive shaft 33. The shaft 33 is screw threaded throughout the major portion of its length to adj ustably support thereon two interrupters 34 and 35 held in position by lock nuts 36, it being understood that either one or both of said interrupters may be employed, the interruper 35 being arranged to transverse the ray path at or adjacent the crossing point at y. The shaft 33 is supported in suitable bearing 37 partially indicated in Fig. 1.

The main drive shaft 23 is provided at one end portion with a comparatively fine threaded portion 38 and a comparatively coarse threaded portion 39, the comparative pitch of which is such as to provide differential movements in a given ratio between the frame 16 and the universal support 18, both of which are in threaded engagement with the respective screw portions 38 and 39, as clearly seen in the drawings. The frame 16 is keyed and guided by rods 40 whereas the universal support 18 is also keyed and guided by rods 41, the former being supported in connection with a bracket or frame member 42 and the latter in connection with a frame member 43. Arranged on the shaft 23 is an interrupter 44 which is adapted to transverse the light rays at or adjacent the crossing point m3 of the light rays. Another interrupter 45 is arranged outwardly of the lens 17 and is mounted to rotate on a vertical shaft 46 geared in connection with the shaft 23 through beveled gears 47 and 48. The last named interrupter has circumferentially spaced vertical fingers which are adapted to rotate through the ray path 122 in a horizontal plane.

I also preferably provide means in the form of a channel frame 50 within the lamp house 5 and adjacent one of the condensers 7 for supporting interrupting or other bodies of predetermined contour therein for pr0du0-' ing ornamental or other effects.

' At 51, I have also indicated at a point outwardly of the crossing of the rays at 4123 means for Supportin and guiding a moving picture film or a p otographic fi m plate or other body, preferably of a translucent or a substantially translucent nature, through which the color re s are adapted to pass. In the case of moving picture films and the like, it will be understood that colored pictures may be projected onto a screen in the manner disclosed in my earlier ap lication hereinbefore referred to. But, in t 1e latter use, the lens 17 and interrupter 45 will not be employed, nor will the translucent screen 52 shown in Fig. 1 be employed.

The screen 52 is supported in a suitable frame 53 in the path of the rays 012.2. In the use of the apparatus for projecting color light rays only, in the many shapes and forms that are possible by means of my improved apparatus, these color rays are collected and may be visualized on said screen and projected therethrough if desired onto another screen or body or on a hopper-shaped refiector member 54. It will also be understood that I may, if desired, move a screen or film-like body 55 transversely of the ray path (122 where the screen 52 is located when said screen 52 is removed. The screen or film 55 is preferably arranged on rolls 56 and 57.

The socket 6a of the bulb 6 is rotated supported in the lamp house and is actuated through a beveled pinion 58 on the shaft 23, meshing with a beveled gear 59 on said socket. The socket has two annular contact rings 60 and 61 with which the circuit wires from a source of supply, contacts through brushes 62 and 63 hearing on the rings 60 and 61 respectivcly.

A switch device 64 is arranged adjacent the screw 39 and comprises an elongated body having projecting arms 65 and 66 at the ends thereof, supported in the path of the universal mounting 18 adjacent the ends of the screw 39. On the crosshead of said switch and supported on a block of insulating mate'- rial 67 are two spring contacts 68 and 69, both in circuit with a wire 70 leading to the motor 22. Two fixed contacts 71 and 72 are in circuit with wires 73 and 74 also leading to said motor.

In the operation of the machine, one of the contacts 71-72 will be in engagement with one of the spring contacts 6869 supported on the switch 64, the contacts 71 and 68 being shown in engagement in Fig. 1 assuming that the direction of revolution of the motor 22 is now feeding the lens 17 and lenses 12 .to 15 inclusive to the left. It will be understood that when the universal support 18 strikes the arm 65 and moves it to the left, the circuit will be broken through the contacts 68 and 71 and closed through the contacts 69 and 7 2reversing the rotation of the mam . be fed backwardly or to the right semen in through the contacts 68 and the drawin until such time as the arm 68 is not engaged to break the circuit through the contacts 69-and 72, recompletm the circuit 1. It will therefore be seen that the said lenses 12 and 15 and 17 may be continuously maintained in .operation, producing constantly varied results as long as themotor 22 is maintained in operation.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown a com aratively large collection of devices or mec anism, especially in the formof lenses and interrupters. While all of these devices may be employed in a single apparatus, it will also be understood that any one or more of the separate lenses or interrupters may be dispensed with or removed from operativeposition, and still the apparatus will function to roduce predetermined and desired results. or example, the interrupter 35 alone may be employed, omitting all other interru ters shown. This also applies to the specific use of any other interrupter device and its particular location shown in the accompanylng drawing, it being understood that am not necessarily limited to the specific relative positions of the parts disclosed.

, It will also be understood that a'combination of any two or three of the interrupters may be employed, it being apparent that the greater number of interrupters employed will produce more varied effects and a more complete breaking up of the color rays emanatin from the source of light. In like manner, may dispense with the lenses 9 and 10 or one or two of thelenses 12-to 15 inclusive or a portion of each of said group of lenses, and

the lens 17 may or may not be em loyed. I n connection with the lens 17 and y virtue of its universal adjustment of my apparatus, by

slight movements thereof, entirely different color rays may be projected onto the screen 52 or any other object onto or through which it is desired to pass said rays. It is also not absolutely essential that the electric bulb 6 be rotated,- but this is preferred, and various other changes in and arrangements of the several parts or devices may be performed in the production of any desired color'ray projection. I

r In Fig. 2 of the drawings, I have shown at 75, 76 and 77 three different forms of interrupters which I may employ, where the interrupters 34, 35 and 44 are indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Theinterrupter 75 is in the form of a perforated disk, the rays of light passing through the perforations 7 5a therein, and these may be of any desired size or may be a combination of sizes. The interrupter 76 consists of a disk-like body, the major portion of which is subdivided by radial cuts to form blade-like body, the radia a plurality of radially extending fingers 760. T e interrupter 77 comprises a fan-like or ly extending blades of which are of comparatively wide area and are preferably perforated as seen at 77b. The illustrations in Fi 2 of the drawings are onl indications o the many types, shapes an forms of'interrupter bodies that I may employ, my invention not being limited to the use of any particular kindor class of interrupter.

As in the invention forming the sub'ect matter of my priora plication hereinbe ore referred to, I have ound that a. source of light such for example as an electric bulb, Wlll emanate light rays having all of the rainbow colors in every possible shade andtone, and these color rays can be controlled,

collected and utilized in projecting pictures or inutilizing such color rays for commercial and advertising purposes. For example,

I may project the rays from my apparatus 4 1n the many possible forms of theassemblage of its devices, to project color rays in predetermined shapes, designs or patterns onto a screen such as the screen 52 which is preferably translucent so as to collect the color values, rendering the same visible on the screen, preferably through a conical or hopper-shaped device such as 54 for examination, to acquire and reproduce the unlimited number of desi s capable of production by my machine Eii' any commerclal purpose, for example in blending and designing fabrics or materials of any kind or class, suitable for the many uses in wearing apparel,

draperies, rugs, carpets and all other classes of fabric goods whether in silk, cotton, wool or the like, it being understood that my improved apparatus will create and produce new designs in unlimited arrangements of blending and harmonized color values, re gtfirdless of the specific commercial use there- 0 It will also be understood that the apparatus as a who-1e and including the screen 52 may be used as an advertising medium for attracting attention. in store windows and other places of business or in buildings of any kind or class, it being understood that the apparatus may be operated for an unlimited length of time. and by virtue of the automatic manual and other adjustments possior recover at any time, a particular design produced by the apparatus, it being understood t hat when all of the interrupters cease operation and are held stationary, one difi'erent design and arrangement of color values will be maintained on the screen 52 and held there until reproduced by an artist or by other means of reproduction.

The operation of my improved apparatus will be readily understood from the specific descriptions hereinbefore set forth, and being based on the broad principle disclosed in my prior patent, it being understood that the light rays emanating from\ the bulb 6 first pass through the condensers 7 and then through the lenses 9 and 10, the rays crossing at 3 prior to passing through the lenses 12 to 12 inclusive. In projecting from the lens 15, the rays again cross at 003 and project through the ray path 002 to the screen 52. It is the chromatic aberration relation between the separate lenses 9l0 and 12 to 15 inclusive, that to a major de ree, makes it possible to collect and intensi y the multiple color rays emanating from the light source, the various interrupters employed breaking up these color rays and producing other combinations or blends of colors, producing the results desired in apparatus or this class.

It will be understood from the foregoing, that my invention is not necessarily limited to any specific arrangement of the several parts of my improved apparatus, nor am I necessarily limited to any particular use thereof, and various other changes in and modifications of the structure herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages.

Having fully described my invention, what i claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. An apparatus for projecting color rays onto a screen or receiving body comprising a source of illumination, a plurality of lenses disposed in the ray path emanating from said source, predetermined lenses be1ng arranged in chromatic aberration with respect to each other, and means involving a driving mechanism for automatically moving one of said lenses longitudinally of the ray path durin the operation of the apparatus.

2. in apparatus for projecting color rays onto a screen or receiving body comprising a source of illumination, a plurality of lenses disposed in the ray path emanating from said source, predetermined lenses being arranged in chromatic aberration with respect to each other means involving a driving mechanism for automatically moving one of said lenses longitudinally of the ray path during the operation of the apparatus, and means in operative connection with said drive mechanism for automatically moving another lens longitudinally of the ray path and at a speed contrasting to that of the first named lens.

' disposed in the ray path emanating 3. An'apparatus for projecting color rays onto a screen or receiving body comprising a source of illumination, a plurality of lenses from said source, predetermined lenses being arranged in chromatic aberration with respect to each other, means involving a driving mechanism for automatically moving one of said lenses longitudinally of, the ray path during the operation of the apparatus, means in operative connection with said drive mechanism for automatically moving another lens longitudinally of the ray path and at a speed contrasting to that of the first named lens, and a plurality of the other lenses being collectively movable with respect to the first two lenses.

4. In a projecting apparatus of the class described, a source of light, condensing lenses arranged in the ray path emanating from said light source, a lens unit arranged in spaced relation to said condensing lenses and in saidray path, another lens intermediate the lens unit and said condensing lenses and in chromatic aberration with relation thereto, and means whereby the vlens unit and last named lens may be relatively adjusted and a driving means for automatically adjusting the lens unit in the operation of the apparatus.

5. In a projecting apparatus of the class described, a source of light, condensing lenses arranged in the ray path emanating from said light source, a lens unit arranged in spaced relation to said condensing lenses and in said ray path, another lens intermediate the lens unit and said condensing lenses in chromatic aberration with relation thereto, means whereby the lens unit and last named lens may be relatively adjusted, and another lens outwardly of said lens unit and in said ray path, said last named lens being adjustable toward and from the lens unit and universally adjustable in the ray path.

6. In a projecting'apparatus of the class described, a source of light, condensing lenses arranged in the ray path emanating from said light source, a lens unit arranged in spaced relation to said condensing lenses and in said ray path, another lens intermediate the lens unit and said condensing lenses in chromatic aberration with relation thereto, means whereby the lens unit and last named lens may be relatively adjusted, another lens outwardly of said lens unit and in saidray path, said last named lens being adjustable toward and from the lens unit and universally adjustable in the ray path, and an inter rupter in said ray path.

7. In a projecting apparatus of the class described, a source of light, condensing lenses arranged in the ray path emanating from said light source, a lens unit arranged in spaced relation to said condensing lenses and in said ray path, another lens intermediate described, a source 0 lig smut the lens unit and said condensing l in lens-unit; longitudinally of the raypath, and

chromatic aberration with relation thereto means whereby the lens unit and last named lens ma be relatively adjusted, another lens outwar lg path, sai last named lens being adjustable toward and from the lens unit and universally adjustable in the ray path, and a plurality of interrupters in said ray path and intermediate said lenses.

8. In a' projecting ap aratus of the class described, a source of lig t, condensing lenses arran ed in the ray path em'anatingirom said light source, a lens unit arranged in spaced relation to said condensing lenses and in said ray path, another lens intermediate the lens unit 'a-nd said condensing lenses in chromatic aberration with relation thereto, means whereby the lens unit and last named lens ma be relatively adjusted, another lens outwar ly of said lens unit and in said ray e path, said last named lens being adjustable toward and from the lens unit and universallyadjustable in the ray path, a plurality of interrupters in said ray path and intermediate said lenses, and means involving an electric motor for automatically actuating all of said intbrrupters.

9. In a pro ectin ap aratus of the class described, a source 0 lig t, condensing lenses arranged in the ray path emanating from said light source, a lens unit arranged in spaced relation to said condensing lenses and in said ray path, another lens intermediate the lens unit and saidwondensing lenses in chromatic aberration with relation thereto,

means whereb the lens unit and last named lens ma bere atively adjusted, another lens outwar ly of said lens unit and in said ray path, said last named lens being adjustable toward and from the lens unit anduniversally adjustable in the ray path, a plurality of interrupters in said ray path and intermediate said lenses, and means involving an electric motor, for automatically actuatin all of said interrupters, and for moving sai lens unit longitudinally of the ray ath.

10. In a projectin apparatus 0 the class t, condensing lenses arranged in the ray 'ath emanating from said light source, a ens unit arranged in spaced relation to said condensing lenses and in said'ray path, another lens intermediate the lens unit and said condensing lenses in chromatic aberration with relation thereto, means whereby the lens unit and last named lens ma be relatively adjusted, another lens outwar 1y of said lens unit and in said ray path, said last named lens being adjustable toward and from the lens unitand universally adjustable in the ray path, a plurality of interrupters in said ray path and intermediate said lenses, and means involving an electric motor, for automatically actuatin all of said interrupters and for moving sai ofsaid lens. unit and in said ray for automaticall moving the universally sup rted lens -on 'tudinally of the ray VP arran ed in the ray path emanating from said light source, 'a lens unit arranged in spaced relation to said condensing lenses and in said ray path another lens intermediate the lens unit and said condensing lenses in chromatic aberration with relation thereto ineans whereby the lens unit and last named lens ma be relatively adjusted, another lens outwar l 'of said lens unit and in said my path,-sai last named lens being adjustable toward and from the lens unit and universally adjustable in the ray path, a plurality of interrupters in said my path and intermediate said lenses, and means involving an electric motor, for automatically actuating all of said interru ters and for movin said lens unit lon 'tudinally of the ray pat and for automatically movin the universally supported lens longitudina ly of the ray path at a speed differential to that of the movement im arted to the lens unit, and said source 0 light comprising an electric bulbhaving a'rotatable socket automatically rotatable through said electric motor.

12. In a projecting apparatus of the class described, a source of light, condensing lenses arranged in the ray path emanating from said light source, a lens unit arranged in spaced relation to said condensing lenses and in said ray path, another lens intermediate the lens unit and said condensing lenses in chromatic aberration with relation thereto, means whereby the lens unit and last named lens may be relatively adjusted, another lens outwardly of said lens unit and in said ray path, said last named lens being adjustable toward and from the lens unit and universally adjustable in the ray path, a plurality of interrupters in said ray path and intermediate said lenses, and means involving an electric motor for-automatically actuating all of said interrugters and for moving said lens unit longitu inally of the ray path, and for automatically moving the universally supported lens ongitudinally of the ray path at a speed diiferential to that of the movement imparted to the lens unit, said source of light comprising an electric bulb having and reverse drive of said motor and the auto-..

matic forward and backward movement of said lenses.

13. The combination with a projecting apa rotatable socket automatically rotated.

paratus involving a source of light, condensmg lenses and projecting lenses arranged in the ray pathemanating from said source of light and condensing lenses and in chromatic aberration with respect to each other, of means involving a driven member for automatically actuating one of said projecting lenses in the operation of the apparatus.

14. The combination with a projectin apparatus involving a source of light, con ensing lenses and projecting lenses arranged in the ray path emanating from said source of light and condensing lenses and in chromaticaberration with res ect to each other, of means for automatic ly actuating one of said. projecting lenses in the operation of the apparatus, an automatically actuated interrupter transversing the ray path, and means involving an electric motor for actuating said interrupter and movable lens.

15. In an apparatus of the class described comprisin a source of light and projecting lenses in t e ray path emanating therefrom, a main shaft having a screw threaded portion, means for rotating said shaft, and one of said projecting lenses being supported in a frame in threaded engagement with the screw portion of the shaft whereby in the rotation of said shaft, said lens is moved longitudinally of the ray path, and an electric motor in operative connection with said main shaft to provide automatic movement to automatically o erate said movable lens in the operation the apparatus.

16. In an apparatus of the class described comprising a source of light and projecting lenses in the ray path emanating therefrom, a main shaft having a screw threaded portion, means for rotating said shaft, and one of said projecting lenses being supported in a frame in threaded engagement with the screw portion of the shaft whereby in the rotation of said shaft, said lens is moved longitudinally of the ray path, and an interrupter actuated through said main shaft and adapted to move transversely of said ray path.

1?. In an apparatus of the class described onto a screen which consists in arranging predetermined lenses in the ray path emanatmg from a source of light, and providing means for automatically moving a predetermined number of said lenses in said ray path and within chromatic aberration relation to another of said lenses.

19. The herein described method of projecting a multiplicity of contrasting color rays in a multiplicity of designs onto a translucent bod which consists in arrahging predetermined projecting lenses in chromatic aberration relation in the ray path emanating from a source of light, and automatically moving spaced lenses longitudinally of the ray path to constantly vary and change the color values and designs projected onto said translucent body.

20. The herein described method of projecting a multiplicity of contrasting color rays in a multiplicity of designs onto a translucent bod which consists in arranging predetermine projecting lenses in chromatic aberration relation in the ray path emanating from a source of light, moving interrupting means transversely of the ray path at predetermined spaced intervals, and automatically moving spaced lenses longitudinally of the ray path to constantly vary and change the color values and designs projected onto said translucent body.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name this th day of June, 1928.

WILLIAM L. ISBILLS.

comprising a source of light and projecting lenses in the ray path emanating therefrom, a main shaft having a screw threaded portion, means for rotating said shaft, and one of said projecting lenses being supported in a frame in threaded engagement" with the screw portion of the shaft whereby in the rotation of said shaft, said lens is moved longitudinally of the ray path, an interrupter actuated through said main shaft and adapted to move transversely of said ray path, and another universally supported lens in threaded engagement with said main shaft and actuated longitudinally of the ray path thereby.

18. The herein described method of projecting a multiplicity of contrasting color rays in predetermined and varied designs 

